Search Results (171)

Bartonella henselae is a flea-borne zoonotic bacterium for which domestic cats constitute the principal reservoir. However, contemporary molecular epidemiological data from Portugal remain scarce. This retrospective laboratory study analysed EDTA-stabilised blood samples from apparently healthy cats submitted for routine screening by 74 veterinary centres across mainland Portugal and autonomous regions over an 11-year period (2015–2025). DNA extracts were tested using a species-specific TaqMan qPCR assay for B. henselae with an internal extraction control, and a subset of samples was subsequently confirmed by nested PCR followed by Sanger sequencing (ribC). Among 270 cats, 47 tested positive, yielding a qPCR prevalence of 17.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.1–22.5). Submissions were predominantly from Northern Portugal, and infection status was not statistically associated with the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) level 2 region (p = 0.478). Infection was more frequent in younger cats (median age 2 years, interquartile range [IQR] 1–5; p = 0.037), while sex (p = 0.103) and breed (p = 0.730) were not significantly associated with infection status. These findings support endemic circulation of B. henselae in Portuguese cats at levels comparable to other temperate European regions. The detection of subclinical infection in apparently healthy cats is relevant to transfusion medicine and supports the inclusion of B. henselae qPCR screening in donor selection protocols. Full article

Land abandonment and recurrent wildfires are major drivers of landscape transformation in Mediterranean Europe, creating favorable conditions for the spread of non-native invasive woody species. Among these, Australian wattles (genus Acacia) are particularly widespread and problematic in Portugal. This work analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamics of Acacia spp. in two municipalities of central Portugal (Sertã and Pedrógão-Grande) by combining multitemporal photointerpretation of aerial imagery (2004–2021), generalized additive models (GAMs), and local perception surveys. Results reveal a 417% increase in occupied area over the last two decades. Modeling outcomes indicate a temporal shift in invasion drivers: from an establishment phase (2004–2010), mainly constrained by altitude and proximity to primary introduction sites, to a disturbance-driven expansion phase (2010–2021), influenced by fire recurrence, slope, and land-use context. Spatial clustering persisted throughout, underscoring the role of founder populations. Surveys confirmed high public awareness of Acacia invasiveness and identified abandonment and wildfire as the main perceived triggers of spread. By integrating ecological and social dimensions, this study provides a socioecological perspective on Acacia spp. expansion in Mediterranean rural landscapes and highlights the urgent need for integrated, landscape-scale management strategies. Full article

Background: Adolescence is a crucial stage of development marked by significant biological, social, and emotional changes that influence mental health and well-being. This study aims to (a) assess the relationship between resilience, life satisfaction, and mental well-being in adolescents aged between 10 and 18 years who are attending 5th to 12th grade in the central region of mainland Portugal, and (b) assess the quality of fit of a structural mediation model in which life satisfaction mediates the relationship between resilience and mental well-being. Methods: A total of 589 adolescents participated in the study and responded to the Escala de Avaliação do Eu Resiliente, the Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale for Adolescents, and the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form. Descriptive analyses, ANOVA, canonical correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling with mediation were carried out. Results: A high canonical correlation (r = 0.873, p < 0.001) was found between resilience and well-being/life satisfaction. Mediation analysis revealed that life satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between resilience and positive mental health (r² = 0.34), indicating direct and indirect effects. Conclusions: These results suggest that more resilient adolescents tend to report higher levels of life satisfaction and well-being, which reinforces the importance of promoting resilience and life satisfaction as protective factors for mental health during adolescence. Full article

The Daily Light Integral (DLI) maps of Portugal are decision-support tools to provide objective assessments of light availability for plants. These maps allow for the analysis of the spatial and seasonal distribution patterns of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm). A semi-automatic DLI mapping workflow was elaborated and DLI maps with two different scales (2 and 5 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹) were created for Portugal’s mainland, analyzing from regional (Northern regions, Central regions, Southern regions) and seasonal (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) perspectives. The DLI values and ranges in Portugal provide a clear spatial gradient from north to south, influenced by geographic location, topography, and climate. In autumn, the DLI values decrease (11–41 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹) and the lowest DLI values are observed in the winter months (7–17 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹). During spring, DLI values increase, reaching their peak in the summer months (41–57 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹). In autumn the DLI range is narrow (11–13 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹), as well as in winter (8–12 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹), and it becomes broader during spring and summer (11–14 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹). To enhance agricultural practices, future DLI maps should be integrated with agro-climatic maps and thematic layers such as soil, water, topography, temperature, and biodiversity. These integrated maps should then be incorporated into agricultural policy and decision-making to improve crop management strategies. Portugal’s agricultural lighting strategy will utilize DLI maps alongside crop-specific recommendations, shading management, local conditions and market demands. Full article

Climate change (CC) and air pollution are closely interlinked environmental challenges that significantly affect human health and quality of life, especially in urban and industrialized regions. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation on how future climate scenarios may affect air quality and related human impacts, using a Southern European country (Portugal) for illustration. The study employed the most up-to-date future climate projections (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways—SSP) that were dynamically downscaled for Portugal. High-resolution simulations were carried out using the Weather Research & Forecasting (WRF) model, providing data for relevant meteorological variables that most affect air quality, for three future climate scenarios: fossil-fueled development (SSP5-8.5), regional inequality (SSP3-7.0), and a middle-of-the-road future (SSP2-4.5). Current and future air quality was simulated with the CHIMERE chemical transport model driven by WRF downscaled data and future emissions from the SSP v2.0 database. Results show that CC will impact nitrogen oxides (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and particulate matter (PM) concentrations over Portugal, with only agricultural emissions increasing in all scenarios. PM and NO₂ will decrease in urban areas, over the short and long term, mainly for more conservative scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP3-7.0), while O₃ will increase over mainland Portugal (except for coastal/urban areas). Regarding human health, premature deaths are expected to be highest in urban areas, with reductions projected for NO₂ and PM_2.5 under SSP2-4.5 and increases in O₃-related mortality under SSP5-8.5. Overall, SSP2-4.5 presents the most sustainable outcomes, highlighting the importance of integrating air quality management and health impact assessments into climate adaptation strategies to promote long-term environmental sustainability in southern Europe, consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 under the European Green Deal requires the full mobilisation of industry, especially energy-intensive sectors such as cement. This study provides an accurate quantification of the environmental performance of Ordinary Portland cement produced in mainland Portugal using industrial data and a cradle-to-gate life-cycle model compliant with EN 15804:2012+A2:2019. The results show that clinker is the main contributor and that the principal hotspots are associated with thermal and electrical energy supply and the calcination reaction. External factors such as the electricity generation mix materially influence results, so these processes should be accurately described and representative of the geographical boundaries associated with plant operation. Climate change is the most relevant impact category, and the carbon footprint is 733 kg CO₂ per tonne of cement, with 97% attributable to the identified hotspots. The choice of impact assessment methodology is crucial in life-cycle assessment, and EN 15804:2012+A2:2019 is not compatible with the earlier A1 revision, which affects comparability of Environmental Product Declarations. Overall, the study enhances the measurement and monitoring of sustainability within the cement sector by providing an explicit industry-wide environmental profile with clear system boundaries and hotspot resolution, enabling targeted mitigation. It also clarifies the methodological implications of Environmental Product Declarations, helping to avoid biased comparisons and supporting procurement, disclosure and policy tracking towards sectoral carbon neutrality. Full article

Portugal contributed to the global diffusion of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.). Although it is of minor importance on the Portuguese mainland, it is one of the most common crops in the Azores and Madeira archipelagos and is highly relevant in the Portuguese ex-colonies Mozambique and Timor-Leste. We analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of sweetpotato from these five geographic provenances using twelve nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. We studied 45 accessions, 15 of which were collected from farmers’ fields in these five regions and 30 of which are held at “Banco de Germoplasma de Moçambique”. The SSR markers showed a high level of polymorphism and a high number of alleles per locus. Population structure analyses using Bayesian clustering (STRUCTURE) grouped accessions from farmers’ fields into two groups and divided samples of “Banco de Germoplasma de Moçambique” into three groups. A principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), based on the Bruvo distance, supported the population structure analysis. Concerning the genebank accessions, the two analyses indicated three clusters, all of them containing Mozambican landraces. From our results, it may be concluded that sweetpotato populations from the three countries do not share a common genetic background, despite the shared history of the countries. Full article

The Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa, Phasianidae) is a non-migrant gamebird endemic to southwestern Europe that was introduced into Mediterranean and Atlantic islands in historical times. This is the case for Madeira, Portugal, where a population morphologically assigned to A. r. hispanica has been present since the XV century. We assessed its genetic identity using 2248 (Cytochrome-b, Cyt-b + Control Region, CR) and 297 bp-long (CR) mitochondrial DNA sequences obtained from modern and archival (1900–1964, including Caccabis rufa maderensis syntypes) partridges, respectively. These sequences were compared against an already published dataset covering the entire Iberian A. rufa range. We found that all the haplotypes of modern birds from Madeira were private to this island. The putative subspecies was confirmed, and northern Portugal with northwestern Spain turned out to host the closest mainland populations. This result was in line with the origin of the first human settlers of Madeira from, among other historical provinces, Douro Litoral and Minho, the latter neighboring Galicia. Despite relatively recent A. rufa importations from continental Europe, we did not find any significant change over time in the haplotypic pattern of Madeiran partridges as well as any evidence for maternal introgression from species such as the congeneric Chukar Partridge (A. chukar). Studies relying on genome-wide markers and including the only captive-bred population of Madeira are needed to gain more comprehensive information for the management of the local A. rufa. Full article

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for plant growth, yet it is only available to plants in the form of orthophosphate. In most soils, P occurs predominantly in insoluble forms, such as calcium phosphates in alkaline soils and aluminum/iron phosphates in acidic soils, limiting plant uptake. Fertilization is commonly used to overcome this limitation; however, large fractions of applied P rapidly become unavailable. Phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are a sustainable alternative to enhance P availability. This study evaluated the P-solubilization capacity of bacterial strains belonging to different genera isolated from different host plants, soil types, and climates (mainland Portugal, Cape Verde, and Angola). Following initial screening, the most efficient strains were tested under greenhouse conditions in soils with pH 7 and 8. Strains exhibited diverse solubilization capacities, with highly efficient PSB (phosphate solubilization index ≥ 2) accounting for 5% of the total isolates, predominantly originating from the Namib Desert (Angola) and Southern Portugal, and mainly belonging to the genera Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Enterobacter, Chryseobacterium and Pantoea. At pH 7, most PSB promoted maize growth, with strain C11 increasing plant P content around 2-fold compared to the control. At pH 8, fewer strains were effective, but strains F and C11 enhanced shoot weight and M shoot length by 28%, 27%, and 10%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of selected PSB strains as next-generation bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture. However, strain selection must consider geography, crop type, and management practices to ensure consistent efficacy, thereby supporting the broader application of PSB as a precision tool for improving food security. Full article

Brucella canis is a neglected zoonotic pathogen associated with canine reproductive disorders and emerging public health concerns. This study presents the first nationwide systematic review and meta-analysis of Brucella spp. in Portugal, integrated with a 13-year retrospective seroepidemiological investigation (2013–2025) of B. canis in dogs across mainland Portugal and Insular Autonomous Regions. Among 132 canine serum samples, a seropositivity of 23.48% was observed using an immunochromatographic assay confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT). Significant associations were identified with seasonality (p < 0.001) and breed (p = 0.001), while sex and age were not statistically significant. Municipal-level analysis revealed marked heterogeneity, with Trofa showing the highest seropositivity (58.82%) and a pooled odds ratio of 11.28 (95% CI: 2.90–43.94; p < 0.001). In parallel, meta-analyses of published data estimated a pooled seroprevalence of 2.42% in animals (95% CI: 1.79–3.13) and 10.57% in humans (95% CI: 8.80–12.47), underscoring the broader burden of Brucella spp. exposure in Portugal. These findings suggest underdiagnosis of canine brucellosis and highlight the need for enhanced surveillance in high-risk breeds and regions. The study reinforces the importance of integrated One Health strategies to improve early detection, control, and prevention of B. canis infection in both veterinary and public health contexts. Full article

Sustainable waste management is essential for environmental protection and climate change mitigation. In mainland Portugal, 59% of municipal waste was sent to landfills in 2023, while only 8% underwent organic valorization. Domestic composting offers low-cost, local solutions to reduce landfill dependency and promote a circular economy. When produced with quality, compost can be used in parks and gardens, improving soil structure, supplying nutrients for plants, and promoting water retention. This study describes the implementation of a composting program at a Higher Education Institution in Lisbon, focusing on community engagement, awareness-raising actions, process monitoring, and challenges faced. The training sessions increased the participants’ knowledge, who reported personal constraints in urban areas, such as limited space and slow composting rates. The results from the composting assays showed that the temperature and the pH followed the expected patterns, with the pH ranging from 4 to 9. Although the composting process progressed satisfactorily, the maximum temperature reached was approximately 45 °C, a value that can occur in home composting systems. The compost analysis showed a mature compost with pH values around 8, a dark color, and an earthy smell, proper for use. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including contaminants found in some composters and the need for increased community participation and awareness to fully engage all stakeholders. Full article

In modern organisations, ethical leadership has emerged as a key driver of sustainability, shaping both employee behaviour and long-term organisational performance. This study investigates the mechanisms through which ethical leadership fosters organisational sustainability, with a focus on the mediating role of organisational commitment. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted in mainland Portugal between January 2024 and January 2025 with a sample of 285 employees from medium and large companies (48% male, 52% female). Ethical leadership was measured with the 10-item Ethical Leadership Scale (α = 0.94), organisational commitment with a 7-item validated scale (α = 0.91), and organisational sustainability with a 12-item scale capturing ethical climate and voluntary pro-environmental behaviours (α = 0.93). Data were analysed using structural equation modelling with maximum likelihood estimation and bootstrapping. Results support the hypothesised model, showing that ethical leadership positively predicts organisational commitment (β = 0.62, SE = 0.07, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.48, 0.75]) and organisational sustainability indirectly through commitment (indirect effect β = 0.31, SE = 0.06, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.20, 0.43]). Direct effects of ethical leadership on sustainability were weaker and non-significant once the mediator was included, confirming the centrality of commitment. Model fit indices indicated strong adequacy (CFI = 0.962, TLI = 0.954, RMSEA = 0.048, SRMR = 0.041). Theoretically, the findings reinforce the integration of ethical leadership theory with sustainability research, clarifying the role of commitment as a mediating mechanism. Practically, the study suggests that fostering ethical leadership behaviours—fair decision-making, role modelling, and integrity—can strengthen employee commitment, which in turn drives sustainable organisational practices. This highlights the importance of leadership development programmes centred on ethics as a strategic lever for long-term sustainability. Full article

Wildfire regimes in Mediterranean landscapes are becoming increasingly unpredictable, driven by the combined effects of climate change, land-use transitions, and socio-economic pressures. Traditional metrics such as burned area or ignition points often fail to capture the complexity of the temporal and spatial recurrence of fire events. To address this gap, we apply, for the first time, a trajectory analysis framework to wildfire occurrence data across mainland Portugal (1975–2024), using pixel-level binary time series at 100 m resolution. Originally developed for land cover change detection, this method classifies each pixel into sequences representing distinct temporal patterns (e.g., stability, gains, losses, or alternations) over defined periods. Results reveal a predominance of stable absence and alternation-type trajectories, particularly “All alternation gain first”, which points to recurrent yet irregular fire activity. Regional differences further highlight the influence of divergent socio-ecological contexts. The findings suggest that fire regimes in Portugal are not only recurrent but structurally dynamic, and that trajectory-based classification offers a novel and valuable tool for long-term monitoring and regionally adapted fire management. Applying this method to wildfire data required specific adjustments to account for the unique temporal and thematic characteristics of fire regimes, ensuring a meaningful interpretation of the results. Full article

A major fire occurred in the wildland–urban interface in southern Portugal, on 13 July 2022, becoming uncontrolled due to weather conditions. This study investigates how atmospheric dynamics increased fire danger in Mainland Portugal during early July 2022. The synoptic circulation from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analysis and mesoscale conditions from Meso-NH model simulation at 1.5 km resolution revealed atmospheric conditions before and during the fire. Fire risk was assessed using the Fire Weather Index (FWI) from Meso-NH outputs. A blocking pattern was configured by an upper-level low-pressure system in early July, remaining semi-stationary west of Mainland Portugal until 18 July. The counter-clockwise circulation of the cut-off low resulted in dry, warm air advection from North Africa, enhancing fire danger over the Iberian Peninsula. In southern Portugal, a jet-like wind with strong east/southeasterly flow from Gibraltar Strait favored rapid fire spread. This circulation below 1 km altitude from the Mediterranean Sea enhanced fire danger through strong winds, independent of the large-scale blocking pattern. This study presents an atmospheric scenario for evaluating fire danger in Southern Portugal, important for pre-firefighting management that complemented previous studies for the region. Also, high-resolution FWI calculations using Meso-NH emphasized the importance of improved temporal and spatial resolution for fire danger assessment. Full article

Background: In recent decades, the relationship between mental health and well-being has been explored from many perspectives, with emphasis on the two-continua model of health in different contexts, with an emphasis on young higher education students. Both mental health and well-being are considered predictors of academic success. This study aims to analyze the relationship between mental health and well-being among first- and fourth-year nursing students. The sample consisted of 473 nursing students from a university in the central region of mainland Portugal. Methods: Data were collected using the short versions of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Mental Health Continuum—Short Form (MHC-SF). Results: Canonical correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association between psychological distress and mental well-being. The first statistically significant canonical function (p < 0.05; Cr = 0.601) was primarily defined by depression (canonical loading = −0.992) in the distress group and emotional well-being (canonical loading = 0.948) in the well-being group. Redundancy analysis confirmed a significant interdependence: variables related to psychological distress explained 27.8% of the variance in well-being, while well-being variables explained 23.8% of the variance in distress. Conclusions: These results reinforce the two-continua model, highlighting the need to address both mental health and well-being throughout higher education. Full article